High-profile Lincoln County cases headed to juries

Rape, drug dealing, weapons charges set for court

Kenneth Kauley at his initial appearance in district court in August 2012, is set to go on trial to face charges of criminal sexual penetration, kidnapping, attempt to commit a felony (first-degree murder), armed robbery with a deadly weapon and aggravated stalking, according to nmcourts.gov. His is one of several high-profile Lincoln County cases scheduled to go before juries in the coming months. (File photo)

Several high-profile cases from the past couple of years are scheduled for trial in the next few months. Accused of rape, drug dealing and weapons charges, suspects will have their days in district court.

Kenneth Kauley is accused of luring or forcing a McDonald's employee into a vacant lot on Gavilan Canyon Road on May 5, 2012. There he allegedly stabbed her in the head and sexually assaulted her and took her car keys, according to an Aug. 20, 2012, Ruidoso News story.

Kauley is charged with criminal sexual penetration, kidnapping, attempt to commit a felony (first-degree murder), armed robbery with a deadly weapon and aggravated stalking, according to nmcourts.gov.

A Sept. 22 trial dated is set for Kauley.

Ruidoso fugitives Aaron Ramos, 37, and Brittany Caughron, 24, were taken into custody in January after fleeing the area and heading to Texas, according to a Jan. 16 Ruidoso News story. The two were found in Dallas on Jan. 15.

According to Lincoln County Sheriff Robert Shepperd at the time, the suspects were wanted on weapons and drug warrants by officers with the White Mountain Narcotics Enforcement Unit.

According to nmcourts.gov, Ramos is charged with two counts of trafficking controlled substances, dangerous drugs conditions for sale, possession of a firearm or destructive device by a felon and use or possession of drug paraphernalia. His trial has been continued and there is no reset date yet.

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Caughron is charged with larceny over $20,000, receiving stolen property and fraud. She is scheduled to face a jury on Sept. 26.

Christopher Rounds, 60, was arrested Feb. 25, 2014, when police discovered an explosive device during the execution of a search warrant. During a three-month investigation agents allegedly had been making controlled buys of methamphetamine, marijuana and hash packages at a location on Rio Street in Midtown Ruidoso, according to police.

During the search agents allegedly found meth, marijuana and hash packages for sale as well as money suspected to be earnings from recent sales.

Rounds is charged with two counts of trafficking controlled substances, conspiracy to commit trafficking, distribution/possession with intent to distribute marijuana/synthetic cannabinoids, seven counts of possession of a firearm or destructive device by a felon, possession of explosive or incendiary device and possession of drug paraphernalia.